Introduction to

housing
A WORKSHOP THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE
YOU WILL NEED REGARDING HOUSING
 Ice breaker find someone who

Was born in Who has a pet Who has Who is under Is left handed
January recently been 30 years old
abroad

Who can roll Works in a Who is a Who has a Who is over 30

their tongue prison football fan special talent years old

5 minutes
 Learning objectives why are you
here today?

5 minutes
 Learning objectives

TO DEVELOP A FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE OF HOUSING

TO UNDERSTAND THE KEY ISSUES SURROUNDING HOMELESSNESS
TO EXPLORE CASES WHERE TENANTS FACE EVICTIONS AND WHAT
INTERVENTIONS CAN BE PUT IN PLACE

2 minutes
 8-SQUARE!

Using your 8-square, you must approach 8 different

people in THE ROOM and ask them What thy
understand about homelessness
When someone gives you a suggestion, you must write
down what they say and get them to sign that
comment

The aim is to have a full set of 8 suggestions from 8

different people
You have 7 minutes!

15 minutes
WHO IS HOMELESS?
The people we work with

Over 32%
7/10 have
are mental
male health
issues

Over 28%
are young multiple
people needs

ALL have 33%

an have
Offending drug
history problems
 What defines homelessness?

5 minutes
Common stereotypes of the
homeless
Most homeless people are single men who are drunks and/or drug addicts.
Common stereotypes of the
homeless
Homelessness is particular to one ethnic, age or social group.
Common stereotypes of the
homeless
Homeless people are dangerous and should be feared.
Common stereotypes about
homeless people
Homeless people are uneducated and unemployable.
Common stereotypes about
homeless people
People choose to be homeless.
Common stereotypes about
homeless people
Homeless people dont want help, they just want a hand out.
A homeless individual is someone
who:
Lacks a fixed, regular and adequate night time residence and
primarily resides in a temporary, emergency or transitional shelter, in
a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as a
regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;
Definition continued

Is living in an overcrowded, doubled up situation and who is being

evicted within seven days, has no subsequent address and lacks the
resources and support network needed to obtain access to housing;
Definition continued

Is living in substandard housing that has been condemned and has no place to
go or the resources to obtain other housing;
Definition continued

Is fleeing a domestic violence situation and has no safe place to go.

Definition continued

Is being evicted from or forced to leave a dwelling unit within a

week or being discharged from an institution after residence of
more than 30 consecutive days;
Definition continued

Resident for 30 consecutive days or less in hospital, jail, or other

institution.
According to HUD (Housing and Urban Development)
Demographics
(Based on Census 2000; Urban Institute)

National Homelessness
280,527 people were counted in homeless shelters, at soup kitchens, on
the streets, etc.

Between 2.3 million and 3.5 million people will experience homelessness
at least once over the course of a year
Where do the homeless call home?

Emergency Shelters
Where do the homeless call home?

Transitional Housing
Weekly Motels & Boarding Houses
Where do the homeless call home?

Doubled or Tripled Up With Family or Friends

On the Streets
Under bridges
In cars
Camps in wooded areas
Abandoned buildings and Vacant lots
Why are people homeless?

Leading causes of homelessness

Lack of safe, decent and affordable housing

Poverty/low wage earnings

Addiction to alcohol and/or drugs

Why are people homeless?

Leading causes of homelessness

Mental illness

Domestic violence

Chronic health issues and disabilities

Questions?